How Amazon Blew Alexa’s Shot to Dominate AI
In the dynamic world of artificial intelligence (AI), voice assistants have become emblematic of technological progress. Amazon's Alexa, once a trailblazer in this domain, has recently found itself struggling to keep pace with newer, more advanced AI systems. Despite a promising start and substantial market presence, Alexa has faltered in maintaining its competitive edge. According to over a dozen employees who have worked on Alexa, the reasons for this decline are multifaceted, involving internal politics, strategic missteps, and missed opportunities. The Rise of Alexa Launched in 2014, Alexa was Amazon's foray into the voice-activated AI assistant market. It quickly gained popularity for its ability to perform a variety of tasks through simple voice commands. Whether playing music, setting timers, providing weather updates, or controlling smart home devices, Alexa became a ubiquitous presence in many households. Former Amazon executive David Limp, then head of devices and serv…
